Feeney Ballet Scholarship

Elmhurst Ballet School is a world-leader in ballet training and education, inspiring nurturing and celebrating young ballet dancers with the talent, commitment and passion to become exceptional dance professionals, regardless of their financial circumstances.

The School trains up to 200 young people in classical ballet and allied dance genres, alongside a strong academic education, to ensure that they are industry-ready when they embark upon their professional careers. Since establishing in Birmingham in 2004, Elmhurst has formed a strong association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, which greatly enhances the student experience.

The Feeney Trust has provided Elmhurst with a capital fund of £50,000 to enable Elmhurst to award an annual scholarship, known as 'The Feeney Ballet Scholarship' to encourage local dance students.

The Feeney Scholarship is awarded annually to the most talented young dancers from the West Midlands.  The first scholarship was awarded in December 2012 to Siân Gourlay. Jared Hinton succeeded Siân, followed by Jordan Wright and Ryan Felix, who received the Scholarship for three consecutive years.  Ryan was a bronze medal winner at Royal Academy of Dance Genée International competition in Lisbon in 2017 an extensive article in Academy’s Gazette followed his success, and is now a company member at Birmingham Royal Ballet.

This year’ Feeney Scholar is Nat Sweeney.  Nat went to Bishop Challoner School in Kings Heath Birmingham, before joining Elmhurst Ballet School. Early in his vocational dance training he became the 41st Billy Elliott at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End, and the 100th worldwide. He is a very talented dancer with a great deal of opportunity open to him being so versatile, currently working his way through ‘So You think you can Dance’ to widen his horizons as well as train at Elmhurst.